—is an injury sustained upon the centrical part of the back-bone, corresponding with that part below, from whence it originally derived its present denomination. It is always occasioned by the pad of the SADDLE being in itself too wide, (and deficient in stuffing,) letting the iron-work of the tree come into contact with the SPINE; or from the long and constant use of a roller in the stable, till having lost the elasticity of its stuffing, it then becomes sufficiently hard, particularly with too tight buckling, to occasion the injury, which is often productive of much trouble, long vexation, and tedious disappointment. It is a disgrace to the rational part of the world, that cases should occur from neglect, indolence, or inattention, which may, with no more than just and necessary caution, be so easily prevented. A navel-gall, in the first instance, if immediately attended to upon the earliest discovery, (if that be so soon as the injury is sustained, or in its recent state of inflammation,) will mostly submit to mild astringent repellents, repeated at short intervals; and the contents of the inflammatory tumefaction will be absorbed into the circulation. But "as it is the curse of fools to be secure," so an impatient repetition of the cause occasions a constantly increasing addition to the injury, till the renewed HEAT and FRICTION upon the part constitute an eschar, or leather-like substance, upon the surface, which being separated, or coming spontaneously away, displays a foul, if not an INVETERATE ulcer, and requires no small share of Veterinary skill to insure a successful termination.
NEAR-SIDE
.—The near-side of a horse is the LEFT SIDE, and of course the side on which the rider goes to mount. The right-side of the horse is always called the OFF-SIDE; but the right side, or the left side, is never so termed, when speaking of a horse. It is the invariable custom to say, that horse is lame of the "near-leg before;" the other, is evidently defective in the "off-leg behind."
NECK
.—The neck of a horse has been so often enlarged upon under a variety of different heads, that little or nothing is left useful, entertaining, or instructive, to introduce upon the subject. All that can be required, will be found largely explained by referring to "Horse" and "Forehand," where, if it is not already remarked sufficiently, it may be here more forcibly inculcated; that a horse with a short neck, is in general lower before than behind; that he is never easy in action; carries his head low, and lifts his legs with difficulty; is much addicted to tripping, or rather blundering, and with that pleasing perfection (so gratifying to the sensations of his rider) is always in danger of FALLING; in addition to which, it may be observed, that a horse of this formation is neither fleet or handsome.
NEEDLE-WORMS
—are small white worms with a sharp-pointed head, having their seat in the rectum of a horse, from whence they are frequently discharged with the dung, but are difficult to dislodge and extirpate entirely. By their unceasing action, (twirling and twisting in the dung when expelled,) it is natural to conceive, how very much they irritate, disquiet, and distress an animal where they have acquired possession; of this there needs no greater proof, than the excrements frequently and suddenly coming away in a liquified state, as if the horse was under a course of physic. And this is evidently the cause why horses eternally teazed and persecuted with these diminutive enemies, always appear low in flesh, rough in the coat, sunk in the eyes, and depressed in the spirits: eternally labouring under internal disquietude, they derive but little advantage from REST, or nourishment from FOOD. They are sometimes not only reduced, but eradicated, by ANTIMONIALS; but as this is not always to be relied on, MERCURIAL PHYSIC is justified upon the broad basis of experience, as the only infallible mode of extirpation.
NEIGHING
—is an exclamatory sensation (or vociferation) by which the horse evinces either anxiety, suspense, or pleasure; but the passion he feels is expressed with much more force and energy in the two first, than in the latter, which is ejaculated with low and gradual vibrative sounds, too expressive to be mistaken by even the inexperienced naturalist, or least attentive observer. Being separated from a companion with whom he has been accustomed to stand in the same stable, and to accompany each other abroad, his inquiries are loud and incessant upon the road or in the field; and if made upon a RACE COURSE, amidst a thousand horses, they are so completely masters of their own language, that they can instantly distinguish the exclamation of each other from the innumerable NEIGHINGS of all the rest. Finding themselves answered, at whatever distance, they display their eagerness to get together; and as they approach each other, the pleasure becomes perceptible in the way before described, and by the experienced sportsman so perfectly understood.